Japan to Enforce Stricter PFAS Standards in 44 Private Water Systems Across 11 Prefectures from 2026

Dec 24, 2024, 03:24 AM

The Japanese Environment Ministry has announced plans to strengthen regulations on organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS, due to concerns over their health impacts. The ministry intends to elevate the current 'provisional target value' to a legally enforceable 'water quality standard' under the Water Supply Law, effective from April 2026. This decision follows a nationwide survey which found that PFAS levels exceeded the provisional target in 44 private water systems across 11 prefectures. The survey, conducted on small-scale private water systems used in company housing and sanatoriums, revealed that among the 8,177 systems surveyed, only 1,929 responded, with 44 cases showing PFAS concentrations above the target. Notably, high levels were detected at several Self-Defense Forces facilities, with the Ashiya Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture recording PFAS levels at 1,500 nanograms per liter, 30 times the provisional target. Other notable detections include 343 nanograms at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Higashitachikawa, 200 nanograms at GSDF Camp Kodaira, 86 nanograms at Gifu Air Base, 245 nanograms at the Air Self-Defense Force's Fuchu Base, and 204 nanograms at Fuchu Prison. In response to these findings, the ministry plans to mandate regular water quality testing and improvements for water suppliers when PFAS levels exceed the standard.